Pakistan has been informed by Turkish authorities that 16 Pakistanis have rescued while 42 remain missing after a cargo ship sank on Monday, the foreign ministry in Islamabad said Saturday.
The ministry issued a list of the missing Pakistanis and the survivors. Most belonged to districts of Gujrat, Jhelum and Kharian in central Punjab province.
The ship split in two when it crashed into a reef off the Turkish resort town of Kemer shortly after its engine failed in a heavy storm.
The vessel, which should have been carrying only a 10-man crew, was also transporting an estimated 80 illegal immigrants, mostly from South Asia, according to accounts from survivors.
Thirty-two people were rescued and a Bangladeshi man was pulled alive from the sea on Tuesday.
On Friday a Turkish court formally arrested the Greek captain and three of the ship's crew.
Turkey is one of the main routes to western Europe used by illegal immigrants from Asia. Turkish police intercept several thousand would-be immigrants each year -- ISLAMABAD (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)